Locality
Arlington County
Occupation
United States Army Officer
Biography
William Hughes Dillard grew up in Martinsville, Virginia, where he was valedictorian of the first graduating class at the segregated Albert Harris High School. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1953. Trained at the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, as a fixed-wing pilot and later a helicopter pilot, he served two tours in Vietnam. During his second tour Dillard commanded the 269th Combat Aviation Battalion and later the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, the latter modernizing the Vietnamese Air Force’s contingent of helicopters. After his overseas deployments, Dillard served in the office of the deputy assistant secretary of defense at the Pentagon. His military education included the Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College. Dillard remained at the Pentagon during his last active-duty assignment as chief of the Europe/Africa Division of the Defense Security Assistance Agency in the Department of Defense.
After 32 years of distinguished service, Dillard retired in 1985 with the rank of colonel, with service medals that included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, multiple Bronze Stars and Air Service Medals, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. He continued his lifetime of public service in his Arlington County community, where he sat on planning committees for Arlington Public Schools, volunteered with the Northern Virginia Special Olympics, and served as a deacon at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Colonel Dillard was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nominated by Peter Dillard.
2026 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree.
After 32 years of distinguished service, Dillard retired in 1985 with the rank of colonel, with service medals that included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, multiple Bronze Stars and Air Service Medals, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. He continued his lifetime of public service in his Arlington County community, where he sat on planning committees for Arlington Public Schools, volunteered with the Northern Virginia Special Olympics, and served as a deacon at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Colonel Dillard was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nominated by Peter Dillard.
2026 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree.
File Citation(s)
Photograph courtesy of Peter Dillard.